Stuck in campground

[jackarussel]

After parking at campground in my 1985 hi-lo voyager and raising it I noticed the hydraulic cylinder blew out in the up position. It is on the safety so I need to lift it to lower but can't.

Is there a manual way to lift top to release safety so that I can get top down.

 

[Treeclimber]

You can't do this without help. I've seen this only once before. It requires 2 X4s, at least two farm jacks and patients. With the jacks placed in the front corners and 2bys in rear (cut to fit). Jack the front a couple of inches. Place two more 2bys wedged in front. Move jacks to rear. Repeat. Using a suitable block of wood,, wedge it in to release the safety bar. ENSURE THERE IS NO PRESSURE ON THE BAR, IT MUST BE FREE AT THIS TIME! Lower the rear till it almost binds, safely wedge cut 2bys there and repeat in front to rear as needed to the lowered position. At all times please be aware of where everyone is. Without a crane or fork lift, this is the safe way to do it that I know of. Please, let us know how you make out as it happen to another. HOPE NOT.
Tree

 

[JackandJanet]

If you could find four strong men, they could probably lift the top at the corners far enough for you to release the safety bar.

- Jack

 

[renoites]

The hand pump came out many year after your trlr was made.
I also have a 1985.
The manual way to lower
You will need more than one farm jack lift. Bottle jack would work also
And some lumber.
Lift front to release safety. Then inch your way down until you can depress down switch.
The hydraulic pump only works on the way up.
It's always something.

I must add that I have never had to do this, thank goodness.

 

[Treeclimber]

If you do it with man power, they would not be able to control the tops decent! Might get ugly. As stated two farm jacks are needed along with lumber. You must control the decent! If your cylinder is blownagain you can't control the decent once off the bar. Wish I were there to assist.
Tree

 

[JackandJanet]

If you do it with man power, they would not be able to control the tops decent! Might get ugly. As stated two farm jacks are needed along with lumber. You must control the decent! If your cylinder is blownagain you can't control the decent once off the bar. Wish I were there to assist.
Tree

Good catch, Tree - I hadn't thought about a blown cylinder allowing the top to free fall.

Sounds like several pieces of lumber are needed as well as a saw to reduce their lengths during the descent. Not fun!

However, using the tongue jack to tilt the trailer forward and backwards, you could get by without using farm jacks to both raise and lower the top. Again, it takes 2x4s that reach from the top to the ground as well as ones that reach from the top to the outriggers.

Any way you do it, it's going to be a tedious process.

- Jack

 

[jackarussel]

Thanks to everyone for your assistance. I got lucky, I was able to put more atf in the reservoir to get it to lift off safeties. It spewed a lot of atf but was able to get it home. I am so lucky that this site is here to get help with everything on the trailers. Thanks again to everyone.

 

[Treeclimber]

Happy to hear all ended well.

 

[JackandJanet]

Good to know that adding fluid made things work well enough to raise it and then get it down. I'll keep that cure in mind. Glad you didn't have to resort to any of our "helpful" ideas! *grin*

- Jack

 

[city Bear]

The adding of ATF to the reservoir was a good idea and a good to know if there is problem with the lift system. Thank you.